75th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima
Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima
In the long record of American heroism in combat, few episodes capture the indomitable will and the stouthearted spirit of the American warrior better than the triumphs on the island of Iwo Jima in early 1945. Seventy-five years later, we pay tribute to the immeasurable sacrifice of those killed in action on Iwo Jima, and we honor the heroic efforts of all who took part in one of the most costly and significant battles in our country’s history.
By February 1945, despite American forces possessing aerial and naval supremacy, the Japanese forces at Iwo Jima were well dug-in and prepared to fight to the last man for the strategically important airfields on this small piece of land. This was the first time in World War II that the Japanese were defending what they considered home soil. For 5 weeks, our Marines and Navy sailors endured a harrowing trial by fire, fighting to secure this remote volcanic island from more than 20,000 determined Japanese soldiers. Nearly 7,000 Americans died in the effort.
The fighting on Iwo Jima was some of the bloodiest and most costly in all of World War II, but it also gave rise to some of the greatest examples of patriotism and heroism in our Nation’s history, inspiring Admiral Chester Nimitz’s famous statement that “uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Few images evoke as much emotion from the American soul as Joe Rosenthal’s photo of six Marines raising our Flag atop Mount Suribachi in the opening days of the battle. In addition, 27 Medals of Honor—the highest honor given to members of the military—were awarded for actions of conspicuous gallantry during the battle. Of these, 22 medals went to Marines, making up more than 25 percent of the total Medals of Honor awarded to Marines throughout the entirety of the war.
Among the heroes at Iwo Jima were non-combatants, like Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn. In the days following the battle, Rabbi Gittelsohn delivered a powerful, stirring message at the Fifth Marine Division cemetery on Iwo Jima. There, he stated, “Here lie officers and privates, blacks and whites, rich and poor together. Here are Protestants, Catholics, and Jews together. Here no man prefers another because of his color.” For his service ministering to men in the thick of the combat zone, Rabbi Gittelsohn was awarded three service ribbons, and today his words resonate as a powerful testament to the founding principle of our Nation that liberty and democracy are the rights of all men and women of every race, religion, and creed.
On this anniversary, we honor those who answered the call of duty and ensured that the forces of freedom emerged victorious in that fateful battle. As a Nation, we remain forever indebted to the Greatest Generation.
Source: Presidential Message on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima | The White House
Category: Historical
Amen, Semper Fi, and OOORAH 🇺🇸
“…uncommon valor was a common virtue.” indeed.
Saw a special about some former Marines visiting Iwo. The place has been left in situ- artifacts in the caves have been untouched since 1945. The grave sites, both American and Japanese were immaculately cared for.
That place is sacred ground for both sides.
“…lest we forget!” Tens of thousands of souls for a speck of rock. Semper Fi to the Marines and Sailors that did their duty.
I saw that special you talking about ‘Ed. Haunting.
Thanks for the Post Dave.
Rest In Peace, Gunnery Sergeant John “Manila John” Basilone, Medal of Honor and Navy Cross Recipient. He unselfishly gave his life on 19 February 1945 at Iowa Jima. He was only 28. Salute. Never Forget. https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/1829 “A popular WWII hero known as “Manila John”, Basilone refused a commission as an officer and reluctantly went on a war bond drive after his Medal of Honor action. He then requested return to combat duty and was killed in action at Iwo Jima, earning the Navy Cross for his heroism there.” Navy Cross Citation: “The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant John Manila John” Basilone, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company’s advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single-handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and… Read more »
If I recall correctly, he carried a personal weapon he made from a .50 cal machine gun salvaged from a fighter plane that had been shot down.. called it a “stinger”
Fyrfighter:
Thank You for that information.
I did not know that…but now I do!
😊
That was Tony Steyn, and it was a modified AN-M2 .30 caliber aircraft machine gun he salvaged from a downed US aircraft.
Thank you ninja.
You are so welcome, Sparks.
Gotta tell turn off “Spell Check” before another error is made, i.e. “Iowa” Jima.
Please Forgive Me!
🤔
God Bless the Marines and Sailors who wrote a new chapter in our nation’s military history and heritage beginning this day on Iwo exactly 75 years ago. It was pound-for-pound perhaps the bloodiest battle the U.S. fought in World War II. As ADM Nimitz said, on Iwo, “uncommon valor was a common virtue”…
A special mention here should also be made of the U.S. Army 476th Amphibious Truck Company. These African-American Soldiers manned the DUKWs that ferried supplies from ships to the beachhead and combat casualties from the beachhead to hospital ships during the Iwo campaign, many time under heavy fire…
Also deserving of mention here is the U.S. Army 147th Infantry Regiment. These infantry dogfaces continued the relentless combat mop-up of Iwo after the island was officially declared “secure” and the Marines departed. This relentless daily combat went on for another three months of constant patrolling and eliminating Japanese holdouts and die-hards in underground caves and tunnels. By the time the 147th had physically cleaned out Iwo and was on its way to Okinawa to take part in the fighting there, they had killed upwards of 6000 more Japanese diehards and holdouts on Iwo Jima.
Iwo was a team effort: Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Coasties. God Bless ’em all…
CH:
Thank You for sharing this about the 476th Amphibious Truck Company and the 147th Infantry Regiment.
You nailed it when you said Iwo Jima was a Team Effort.
That is how Battles are won.
Yes indeed: God Bless Them All.
“For most of the young boys, it had not fully sunk in yet that the defenders were not on Iwo, they were in Iwo”
My mother in law’s father Pete was a Guadalcanal and Iwo vet. Never met him in person and only got to talk to him on the phone ONCE. Guy was SUPER humble, just proud to be a Marine. He passed away about 5 years ago. One of my biggest honors was coordinating funeral honors for him.
God rest them well. Thank God for men like them, of all wars and conflicts. Who gave so much and some all for our great nation.
May we never forget.
I worked for one of the sailors who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima. This is the citation for his Medal. Pierce’s Medal of Citation reads: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to PHARMACIST MATE FIRST CLASS FRANCIS J. PIERCE UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, during the Iwo Jima campaign, 15 and 16 March 1945. Almost continuously under fire while carrying out the most dangerous volunteer assignments, Pierce gained valuable knowledge of the terrain and disposition of troops. Caught in heavy enemy rifle and machinegun fire which wounded a corpsman and 2 of the 8 stretcher bearers who were carrying 2 wounded marines to a forward aid station on 15 March, Pierce quickly took charge of the party, carried the newly wounded men to a sheltered position, and rendered first aid. After directing the evacuation of 3 of the casualties, he stood in the open to draw the enemy’s fire and, with his weapon blasting, enabled the litter bearers to reach cover. Turning his attention to the other 2 casualties he was attempting to stop the profuse bleeding of 1 man when a Japanese fired from a cave less than 20 yards away and wounded his patient again. Risking his own life to save his patient, Pierce deliberately exposed himself to draw the attacker from the cave and destroyed him with the last of his ammunition Then lifting the wounded man to his back, he advanced unarmed through deadly rifle fire across 200 feet of open terrain. Despite exhaustion and in the face of warnings against such a suicidal mission, he again traversed the same fire-swept path to rescue the remaining marine. On the following morning, he led a combat patrol to the sniper nest and, while aiding a stricken Marine, was seriously wounded. Refusing aid for himself, he directed… Read more »
I almost got to twice (as in packed, at the Futenma in the early morn and ready to go) but it was scrubbed each time due to weather. That’s one thing I’ll always regret is not getting out there.
Semper Fi